#1
|
|||
|
|||
Luthier recommendations for a specific build?
Hello,
I was hoping some of you might be able to recommend some luthiers for me to contact for a build I'd like to do in the near future. I'd prefer someone with a waiting list that isn't several years long. Budget is 14K max but would happily spend less. The type of guitar I'm thinking of is primarily for blues. I was imagining a parlor like the Froggy Bottom P-14 with Adi top and Mahogany b/s. Venetian cutaway. 1 11/16" at the nut. Low profile neck with a compound radius (12" - 16"). If not compound, then a short radius approaching as close to 10" as possible. Obviously, I'm considering Froggy Bottom, but I'm not sure if they would build me a guitar with neck specs like I described above. So trying to explore other options as well. BTW, I welcome any build suggestions you may have for this blues machine. Thanks. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I would recommend Laurent Brondel. He is highly skilled at carving necks exactly to your specification, and will also be within your budget. That said, many other builders will be able to do this as well. Have you reached out to FB already, since you like their parlor sound?
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
At your budget, are you OK with a bolt-on neck, a non-nitro finish, non-HHG construction, no options for a built-in arm-bevels, sound port, etc. If not, you will have to look beyond FB.
Tommy |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
These things can be difficult because there are so many people that make parlor guitars. Can you describe builders whose sound you like other than FB?
__________________
Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz) Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa) Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Firstly, thank you folks for your replies.
Quote:
Quote:
Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of hearing many parlor guitars in person. Outside of FB I've also heard an Eastman that was very nice. I know it's not easy to narrow down the field to luthiers with a more traditional bent that have a particular talent for getting that blues sound out of a parlor. I expect to have to do quite a bit of research on it. |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
FB is one. Collings is another. I really enjoyed the two Collings parlors I played. Our resident member USB Chord would be a great resource for FB.
__________________
Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz) Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa) Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad) |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Sound advice. I have concerns that my neck requirements may be a sticking point for companies like FB, but maybe I'm wrong on that one.
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
HHG....I was told by the FB dealer back in 2005; No. I'll check with Andy at FB. FB as well as many other top-tier luthiers have proven without a doubt (to me) that there is no disadvantage to a bolt-on neck when correctly executed. As a side note, you may want to consider EVO frets too. I don't particularly like the gold color, but the advantages outweigh the aesthetics. So my new FB will have EVO Frets. Tommy Last edited by tommieboy; 04-18-2022 at 03:56 PM. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I never knew there was a concern about bolt-on necks, but I'd imagine FB would have changed their design at some point in 50 years if it proved to be a major problem. Thanks for the EVO tip! Not a big fan of gold either. But I will consider it. Having already worked with FB on a custom, do you think my neck requirements are something they would do? Or is it too much of a departure? |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I requested EVO frets, a 16" radius at the first fret, a little more of a roll on the fretboard edge to deal with my thumb-over fretting, and a slightly fuller neck profile. Andy at FB had no issue with those requests. Tommy This is one of the images that I sent to Andy at FB. That is my current Model M. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Tommy |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Ah... I see! So you want the fullness of the Guild. Very cool little tool!
|
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Yes, I was surprised to see how close the two necks are on the backside. The real difference is what is happening on the top side. The Guild has more of a rolled edge along the length of the fretboard and a 12" radius at the first fret. Together all of these small tweaks add up to a fuller feeling neck in my hand. However, as I mentioned in my previous post, I will be going with a 16" radius at the first fret in lieu of their standard 20" radius.
Tommy Last edited by tommieboy; 04-18-2022 at 04:49 PM. |